Mizzou Links, 9-3-10

God it felt good to have football back in our lives last night.  It was a long, often stupid offseason.  Hopefully I still feel this nice about the season come mid-afternoon on Saturday.

Mizzou-Illinois Links

• Post-Dispatch: How to save $8 on Mizzou-Illini tickets
• The Trib (Dave Matter): Writer's Block: Mizzou-Illinois
• KC Star: Blaine Gabbert is ready to shed the distractions and lead Missouri

  Illinois defensive coordinator Vic Koenning told reporters this week that the injuries and conversions could lead to a "somewhat vanilla" scheme in the secondary.

  "You can’t do everything you want," said Koenning, who last year was the co-defensive coordinator at Kansas State, which Missouri beat 38-12 in Manhattan with Gabbert hitting 20 of 27 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns.

  Without Washington — who in the previous two games ran for a combined 191 yards against Illinois — Missouri’s running game is largely in the hands of sophomore Kendial Lawrence and junior De’Vion Moore, as well as Gabbert.

  Zook contends he anticipates Missouri throwing a lot of passes because that is precisely what Missouri does best.

  The scary part for Zook might be reflected in a simple moment of self-reflection by Gabbert. As good as he was a year ago, Gabbert expects more out of himself.

  "That comes with learning the offense better, watching more and more film, being in the strength room with coach (Pat) Ivey and the strength staff for another season," Gabbert said.

  "Overall, I’m a whole new player."

• PowerMizzou: Illini Insider: Five questions for Saturday
• Champaign News-Gazette: MU-UI series was good idea gone wrong
• Fox Sports MW: Despite preseason setbacks, Tigers seem ready for prime time
• SB Nation StL: The (Terrible) Labor Day Weekend in Saint Louis Sports

Mizzou Football Links

• KBIA Sports Extra: Has the Missouri football program taken a hit?
• PowerMizzou: T.J. Moe looks for a do-over
• Post-Dispatch: In tumultuous times, Mizzou football must move forward
• Post-Dispatch: Young MU receiver overcame loss of parents
• Fox Sports MW: Five breakout candidates for Mizzou
• Fox Sports MW: Replacing Weatherspoon
• PowerMizzou: 2010 Tiger Mailbag

Iowa State 27, Northern Illinois 10

• ESPN.com: Recap
• Ames Tribune: Offense paces ISU in win
• Ames Tribune: First-time defensive starters make an impact
• Ames Tribune: Franklin, receivers step up in the opener
• Clone Chronicles: Iowa State 27, Northern Illinois 10

Big 12 Football Links

This isn't just Big 12-related, but the Wall Street Journal put out a really neat interactive series called The Whole Hundred Yards where you can compare teams in conferences based on a wide range of statistics.

• Kansas
  Topeka Capital-Journal: Angus Quigley ready for one last run
  Topeka Capital-Journal: Gill faces familiar foe
• Kansas State
  Topeka Capital-Journal: Snyder won't count carries
  Topeka Capital-Journal: Cats seek statement win
• Nebraska
  Corn Nation: Nebraska Loses Linebacker Will Compton "Indefinitely"
• Oklahoma
  ESPN.com: Bob Stoops: Forgive athletes who expose agents
• Oklahoma State
  The Lost Ogle: Football Preview: There's Always Next Year
  Tulsa World: Mike Gundy more relaxed these days
• Texas
  Burnt Orange Nation: Coaching Expectations - Texas Edition
• Texas Tech
  Dallas Morning News: Tommy Tuberville lost Auburn job because of spread offense
  Dallas Morning News: Tuberville isn't parroting Tech's famous pirate

Other Mizzou Links

• Mizzou Basketball
  MUtigers.com: Mizzou Hoops Hosts Walk-On Tryouts (Just going to throw this out there ... if a Rock M reader were to, say, give this a shot and write about it, it will make the front page.  Just saying.)
• Mizzou Soccer
  MUtigers.com: Missouri Continues its Road Trip
  The Maneater: Nottingham off to fast start for Tiger soccer
• Mizzou Volleyball
  KBIA Sports Extra: Volleyball faces first road test at Pepperdine Ascics Classic
  The Maneater: Kreklow setting tone for Tiger volleyball

Other

I'm sure you've seen it by now, but in case you haven't, drop whatever you're doing and read EDSBS' outstanding Football Season Is Over, Football Season Has Begun post.  It is worth your time.